Former President Donald Trump has spoken out against a proposed Ohio constitutional amendment that would change the state’s redistricting process, which is expected to be put before voters on the Nov. 5 general election ballot as a top issue.
The proposed amendment, known as the “Citizens, Not Politicians” Amendment, seeks to replace the current Ohio Redistricting Commission and create a novel commission that would not include current or former elected officials.
Thank you Mr. President! Issue 1 is a fraud to put gerrymandering IN our state constitution! Vote NO on issue 1. Stop 🛑 gerrymandering in Ohio! photo: twitter.com/plxnZ2hZeQ
— Alex Triantafilou (@ChairmanAlex) September 21, 2024
Ohio Republicans have warned that changes to state redistricting rules proposed in a referendum will not end gerrymandering.
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine went so far as to say the proposal would lead to “extreme gerrymandering.”
Trump has given his consent, as he wrote on Trust Social on Saturday. fasting“Issue 1 would ensure that incompetent redistricting commissioners are not accountable to Ohio voters and cannot be removed if they abuse their power.[.]”
The former president urged Ohio voters to vote against the proposition in the general election.
“Issue 1 will cost Ohio taxpayers millions of dollars and force the state to pay unlimited legal fees to the redistricting attorneys, with no liability,” Trump added. “Ohio voters must stop the Democrats’ takeover of redistricting. Vote no on Issue 1. Stop the steal!”
Ohio Republican Party applauded Trump for expressing opposition to the legislative initiative along with group chairman Alex Triantafiliu, addition that if passed, the bill would “fraud” “introduce gerrymandering into our state constitution.”
Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose, who as chairman of the Ohio Ballot Board approved the language in the proposal that voters will see on the ballot, also thanked Trump for expressing his opposition to the initiative.
“Issue 1 is nothing more than a Democratic power grab, which will require gerrymandering so that liberal billionaires can take over Congress and the Ohio Legislature,” LaRose said. he said“Thank you, Mr. President Trump, for expressing your opposition to this dangerous amendment.”
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at Ohio Star AND Star News Network. Follow Kaitlin on X / Twitter.
Photo “Donald Trump” by Donald Trump.
